Pulsipher Family Post: Christmas, Cousins, & Craziness

Our holiday adventure began as Ashlyn & I flew into Salt Lake on Wednesday, December 15th. We got a great deal on the airfare - the catch was that we had a layover in Albuquerque, so it was a good thing that we had the portable DVD player to keep Ash entertained 'cause it was a long afternoon.

Side note: If you don't want to be engaged in a creepy & uncomfortable conversation with a stranger on a plane, be prepared & bring something to read, wear headphones, or quickly go to sleep - learn from my mistake!

Derek's parents picked us up at the airport that evening and we spent the night at their house. The next morning it was off to Provo to spend some girl time with Aunt Mitizi. We went to Red Lobster for lunch (of course) where Ashlyn got to get up close and personal with a live lobster.

That Thursday night we got to meet up at Rachel's house for some pizza & catchin' up with Tonya & Rachel. Tori was in the middle of having a baby, so I guess she had a good excuse for not being there. I certainly wouldn't want to trade anything & go back, but sometimes I miss the single, early 20 somethings, when we used to be able to hang out every weekend & take trips together without coordinating weeks in advance between jobs, kids, schedules, states, etc... Oh, well... it's great to see them when we can.

We stayed at Mitizi's that night and then it was off to make our way down to be at Grandma Joy's Christmas party on Friday night. We have this party at a cabin in the Aurora park every year. The family has gotten out of control huge, but it's still so much fun to see everyone - even if I can't keep all the names straight anymore. There are nine kids between my Grandpa & step Grandma - so it is them plus all their kids (me & my cousins), plus all of our kids, plus any spare boyfriends/girlfriends, etc. that may be in the picture at the time. We never know who's going to show up, but it's guaranteed to be lots of fun, food, crowded, and overwhelming to poor Santa who comes to give gifts to all the little ones.

This year we did a reenactment of the Nativity. Ashlyn was so excited that she got to be a little Angel.

Ashlyn & cousin KaraLee

They're both looking a bit tired.

Saturday we had a fabulous breakfast with my Dad & Virginia. Since my sister had planned on going back to Altamont on Monday & everyone wouldn't be around, we had a Christmas celebration that morning and got to open presents. Ashlyn was so excited - before pulling it out of the bag, she was shouting "pillow pet!". Hope she didn't ruin the surprise for her cousins who got the same thing.

By the afternoon we were headed back to Salt Lake to pick Derek up at the airport. He had stayed to work in AZ for a few days. We stayed the night at his parents, went to their ward Christmas program, and then was on our way back down to Salina for my Mom's family party. Whew....I'm getting tired just thinking about it all.

That was a lot of fun. We had the actual party at Morgan's new house. Dinner was in the garage to have room for us all & it worked out quite well.

Celicia & my brother ClintGrandma Vonnie
Ashlyn & Aunt Mariah

Uncle Morgan & Ashlyn

Boys & Their Toys!

The girls all got to open presents. Ash loved the coloring stuff, the pillow pet, & these cute bath towels that aunt Celicia made. Every time she wears it after a bath now, she calls herself either an angel or a princess!

We also attempted to take some family photos. I say attempted, because, well.....take a look for yourself....

And this is what happened with a little cooperation and the magic of photoshop.

L-R: Ashlyn, Brentlee, KaraLee, Taylor, Jazlyn

KaraLee & Uncle Morgan

My Mom & her boyfriend, Alan.He couldn't make it to dinner, but he was there in time for pictures.

Brentlee Sue

Jazzy Jo

Taylor Dawn & Aunt 'Shelle

The plan was for my sister to go home and for us to go make some visits, but when we woke up Monday morning - this is what it looked like outside...

There were road closures all over the state and we weren't going anywhere for a couple days. We did finally make it back over to my dad's (a whole 20 miles away) and the girls had tons of fun playing in tons of snow with more cousins. Check out the weight of the snow on the trampoline.

I did want a white Christmas!

These two had the right idea of getting warm by the fireplace...

Ashlyn & Jazlyn in a rare moment of getting along.

We finally made it back up on Wednesday night to spend some time with Derek's family. On Thursday afternoon, while Ashlyn had playtime with Grandma & Grandpa - Derek & I had a date and went to the Ballet West production of the Nutcracker. I had caught a cold by that point, so I vaguely remember the actual production. Either way, we agreed that it was fun for the day, but we're certainly not going to pay to go to the ballet again. For as much as we like the theater, that was not our cup of tea!

Friday was Christmas Eve. We had a wonderful dinner with Derek's parents, his sister Heather, and her kids. I had to get photographic evidence that Derek does know how to make something more than mac & cheese or microwave burritos!

Madelyn posing with the infamous pillow pets.

It's a tradition that the kids get to open a gift before going to bed & Ashlyn had fun with her new little people farm - after she played with the wrapping that is.

Christmas Day was actually pretty leisurely. Aunt Alisa came over and we all visited waiting for Heather & the kids to come back down & open more gifts. By the afternoon, we were ready to open presents and Ashlyn's hair was already out of the ponytails - per her usual manner.

It was nice & relaxing & low key - just the way we like it! I should have taken more pictures.

On Sunday, my mom met us in Salt Lake so Ashlyn & I could ride up to North Ogden with her and stay the night at my Aunt Venise's house. Another snow storm hit, so the drive was slow & scary. After a slide off the road, we made it safely there. Of course I forgot to take any pictures while we were there which I'm kicking myself for now! Sarah got married in November, and both Laura and Michelle are getting married this spring. The family is growing like crazy. So glad I got to see them all - it's been a while since we got to spend real time together.

Monday we drove back down, and we went to visit some of Derek's old co-workers at RC Willey. We met my Dad, Virginia, and Mitizi for a late lunch that afternoon - then wandered around the outlets before they went to the Jazz game and she went to work.

Tuesday, December 28th is kind of a blurr.... Somehow we said our goodbye's and made to the airport. Our flight was at 7:50pm and after waiting over 45 minutes for delayed luggage - we finally made it safely (and in much warmer weather) back to our humble home in Arizona around midnight.

After settling in the next day - we found that Santa hadn't forgotten us and came to our house while we were gone. Ashlyn liked the art easel he left, and was kinda happy about the new baby doll that goes in the bathtub, but she was thrilled beyond belief that she finally got the Choo-choo Train Set she's been wanting so badly. She kept saying - "Look, look. Thank You! Thank You!"